And the Backstage Pass Award goes to…

Who gave the performance of the past 12 months: Daniel Hoffman-Gill in Of Mice and Men, perhaps? Ben Turner in The Kite Runner? Fox Jackson-Keen in I Was a Rat?

Which was the best show: Diary of a Football Nobody? The Importance of Being Earnest? Joking Apart?

It’s almost impossible to choose. However, that doesn’t deter our Backstage Pass members, who will shortly be voting on the best shows, performances, design and direction of our 2012-13 season.

Our membership scheme – 1,250 strong and growing – primarily makes it affordable for theatre lovers to see as many shows as they like, with savings of 50% available on every mainstage Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company production. But members are also offered opportunities to get more involved, whether by encountering actors and creative staff, socialising with other members – or voting on their favourite shows.

The Backstage Pass Awards 2012-2013 will mark the third year in succession that members have picked their favourite work on the Playhouse stage. Their nominations are currently being sought, with voting to follow later this month. There may not be a glitzy red-carpet ceremony, but the winners will be announced informally at the Backstage Pass Summer Party on Tuesday 23 July and posted here soon afterwards.

Last year’s winners in full:

Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company Productions:

Best Set Design Ti Green for The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Best Costumes Tim Meacock for Cinderella

Best Lighting Chris Davey for Mary Shelley

Best Sound and/or Music Stefan Bednarczyk for Forever Young

Most Versatile Returning Performer Robin Kingsland in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Best Actor in a Supporting Role Daniel Hoffmann-Gill as Bill Voce in The Ashes

Best Actress in a Supporting Role Shannon Tarbet as Jane Clairmont in Mary Shelley

Best Actor in a Leading Role Ian Bartholomew in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Best Actress in a Leading Role Kristin Atherton in Mary Shelley

Best Direction Polly Teale for Mary Shelley

Best Production The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Visiting Productions:

Best Music Gig Kate Rusby

Best Dance Performance Matthew Bourne’s Early Adventures

Best Visiting Drama Reasons to be Cheerful (Graeae/New Wolsey Theatre)